BMX Australia press release
World Champion Caroline Buchanan has gone one better today in the second Round of the National Series taking the win on the Gold Coast. Caroline narrowly missed out on winning in Round 1 when racing was determined over 3 races where she finished just 1 point behind Kirsten Dellar. Today, Buchanan exerted her dominance in the sport with 2 wins and a second in the motos before leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that she was here to win the final.

Given the option to ride the pro straight with its bigger jumps, Buchanan used the opportunity to challenge herself and was the only rider to do so.

“This weekend is about blowing out the cobwebs and wanting to challenge myself at the same time,” Buchanan said after the race.

“I came here with a different attitude to today’s racing; I played it safe for the final and got the win.

“Motos today meant that I was able to have those extra challenges and try to give the pro straight a go. Today it was the final that counted.”

Asked about whether the weekend gave her the confidence of where she wanted to be right now, Caroline said that it was a great introduction for the season.

“Yeah, definitely I’ve got a lot of confidence coming out of the off season. I put on my flat pedals and have really taken it back to basics at a beginner level which has helped me get back in touch with my bike.”

In the Elite Men’s, Matthew Juster held out yesterdays winner Anthony Dean and Corey Frieswyk to take a win he’d been chasing for 3 years.

“I’ve been living over here so I’m getting used to the heat so it was to my advantage out there today. I’ve been itching to get a win now for nearly 3 years so to finally get it I’m stoked right now,” Juster said.

It was a classy field with the likes of Luke Madill, Corey Frieswyk and last years series winner Anthony Dean. Add to that World #8 Barry Nobles from the USA and achievement becomes more special.

“Anthony Dean is always tough; he won last years series having won 6 of the seven rounds in 2013 so to beat Anthony has been a really big achievement for me.”

Despite the heat across both days of competition spectators were entertained on and off the track. Racing was at its usual high standard with the international racers always in the mix; New Zealand especially as they had wins in the Junior Women and Girls 16’s.

BMX Australia General Manager Mark Louis said the level of racing on the Gold Coast impressed him.

“The two days of racing have been of an outstanding standard with racing well supported by the spectators who endured the heat wave conditions,” Louis said.

“Watching Caroline win today and seeing the Elite Men’s finals filled with so many great racers, our sport continues to attract top athletes from around the country and the world.

“This National Series has seen a record number of entrants with a lot of people staying in and around the Gold Coast not only enjoying racing but also staying on and enjoying the holiday period.